History of Lennoxlove Trees
1. GRAND FIR (Abies grandis)
Planted in 1960, it has reached a height of over 23 metres. The Grand Fir is the fastest growing commercial conifer in Britain. This tree is at the East End of an avenue at the other end of which, just outside the boundary wall, the foundations of a cottage can be seen. It was the home of Robert Burns’ brother Gilbert, who was the Factor to Lord Blantyre of Lennoxlove.
2. FERNLEAF BEECH (Fagus sylvatica ‘Heterophylla’)
This Beech Tree is approximately 100 years old. It was a particular favourite of the 14th Duke of Hamilton who was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable sylviculturalist.
3. SILVER FIR (Abies pectinata)
Estimated to have been planted at least 200 years ago, it has reached a height of over 238 metres. It is the last of the very old conifers to survive the Scottish weather.
4. OAK SEED STAND (Quercus robur and petraea)
This is the most Northerly registered Oak seed stands in the UK. It contains both Pedunculate and Sessiler Oak trees. Occasionally, the Forestry Commission collects seeds from this stand. A few years ago, when a disastrous virus killed most the young Oak trees in the USA, seeds were taken from here and sent to America.
5. ENGLISH YEW (Taxus baccata) (now part of the Family Quarters with no access to view)
It has been suggested that the Yew trees in the vicinity of the House are approximately the same age as the House itself. This may be because of the ancient legislation requiring landowners to plant Yew trees to make long bows for the army. The oldest living thing in Northern Europe is thought to be a Yew tree at Fortingall Church Yard in Perthshire which has been carbon dated to 1400 BC. This is to be compared with 6500 BC for the Bristle Cone Pines still growing in the High Sierras of Nevada.
6. SESSILE OAK (Quercus petraea)
Planted in 1927 by King George V during a visit to the Baird family who owned Lennoxlove at the time.
7. LIME TREES (Tilia vulgaris)
These form the verges of the Politicians’ Walk. William Maitland of Lethington (the old name for Lennoxlove) was Secretary of State to Mary Queen of Scots’. He is said to have laid out the avenue and frequently walked up and down it, while pondering affairs of State. Over the years, many of the lime trees have been replaced by other species.
8. WELLINGTONIA (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
This young tree is only some 20 years old and is of the same family as the Giant Redwoods of California (Sequoia Sempervirens). It is hoped that seeds from it will help to replace the big softwoods, most of which have now been lost in gales.
9. SWEET CHESTNUT (Castanea Sativa)
This wonderful tree is thought to be the oldest on the Estate. It is thought to be about 600 years old.
10. HIMALAYAN CEDAR (Cedrus Deodara)
This Cedar was a Birthday gift to the 14th Duke of Hamilton from his son Lord James, At an early point in its life, when it was only 6 feet tall, the tree began to lose its conical shape and flatten out in the crown, an inherent tendency in this species. Just before his death in 1973, the Duke pruned the tree and managed to reverse the process.
11. COMMON ASH (Fraxinus excelsior)
Planted by the late Queen Mother in October 1969 whilst visiting the 14th Duke and Duchess of Hamilton. All the Estate staff and their families were invited to witness the planting.
12. DAWN REDWOOD (Metasequoia Glyptostroboides)
This tree is unusual in that it is deciduous and therefore is more likely to survive in severe conditions. The species was, for hundred of years, thought to be extinct until the 1940s when one was discovered being cut down for firewood in the highlands of China. It is now firmly established again since it is easily propagated from cuttings.